Too slow moving. Not as good as other books in the series.REVIEWER’S OPINION:This is one of the weaker books in the Harry Bosch series. If you want to read just a few of them, skip this one. Me, I intend to read them all, and I’m glad I read it. I did it as an audiobook, keeping me company while I was doing other things, so I didn’t mind the slowness. As a mystery it was average and slow at times. Nothing special was done during the investigation, kind of plodding along. But there was one neat scene. Bosch gets some temporary tattoos and goes undercover for maybe an hour with a suspect. That was fun to watch.We learn who killed Rebecca, but the motive and details weren’t clear enough. I wanted to know the conversations between Rebecca and the killer. Was he stalking her? Did she break up with him? What was their dispute?At the end of book 8, Bosch retires from the police force. Books 9 and 10 have him solving cases as a private detective. In this book 11, the chief of police asks Bosch to come back to work in the Open Unsolved Unit (old, unsolved, cold cases). In the author’s note at the end of the audiobook, he says he realized that private detectives rarely solved murders. Therefore he knew he had to bring Bosch back to the police force to do this – Bosch’s mission.SETTING DATE:I’m confused about the setting date. One part of the book calculates to 2004. Another part gives me 2005. It’s not a big deal, but I’m trying to get it right.STORY BRIEF:Sixteen-year-old Rebecca was murdered 17 years ago. Her father was black, her mother white. This might have something to do with a racial hate group that was active at the time. The police could trace the gun to Mackey, but they couldn’t prove he was the murderer. Bosch wants to spook Mackey and get him talking to his buddies and/or the murderer.NARRATOR:The narrator Len Cariou is excellent. My only hesitation is that his Canadian accent doesn’t fit a “west coast Harry Bosch.” For example “talk” sounds like “tahk.” Other than that he does a good job with both men and women. A couple seconds of music between some of the chapters was nice.DATA:Unabridged audiobook length: 11 hrs and 45 mins. Narrator: Len Cariou. Swearing language: strong but not frequently used. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: none. Setting: 2004-2005 Los Angeles, California. Book Copyright: 2005. Genre: crime mystery. Ending: Not exciting, but positive.THE SERIES:I recommend reading the Harry Bosch books in order, but it would be ok to try “The Last Coyote” or “Lost Light” first just to see if you like the style. Then go back and read the rest in order. Following is my recommended reading order.3 stars. The Black Echo3 ½ stars. The Black Ice4 stars. The Concrete Blonde5 stars. The Last Coyote4 stars. Trunk Music4 stars. Angels Flight4 ½ stars. Blood Work (McCaleb series #1) Bosch is not in this.3 ½ stars. A Darkness More Than Night (McCaleb series #2) McCaleb is the primary investigator, but he interacts with Bosch.3 ½ stars. City Of Bones5 stars. Lost Light5 stars. The Poet (McEvoy series #1) Bosch is not in this. Read this any time before “The Narrows.”4 stars. The Narrows (sequel to The Poet) Bosch is the main investigator.3 stars. The Closers
I sometimes take a break from "serious" literature to read some genre fiction. After reading Julia Keller's review of Michael Connelly's most recent novel I decided to try one of his earlier works, The Closers, featuring Detective Harry Bosch.I was not disappointed as the novel was tightly woven, suspenseful story of crime and detection. In it Detective Harry Bosch is brought out of retirement by a new chief of police and assigned to a new division called "Open-Unsolved"; basically a 'cold case' division that is known as "The Closers". They look into cases that have remained unsolved for many years, and are hoping to close the file after all these years. He is teamed with his old partner, Kiz Rider, and they have the DNA of a man connected to the murder, but quickly discover that there may be more to this case than there seems. It is a seventeen-year-old case whose twists and turns kept this reader turning the pages until the resolution almost four hundred pages later. The book is full of realistic details about police work and references to some of the changes in criminal law, particularly the impact of "hate crimes". The change in the science of detection with the advent of DNA and its' resulting ubiquity is also an important factor in the story. This was a delightful light read, and introduced my to an author to whom I plan to return for more enjoyment in the future.
What do You think about The Closers (2006)?
Pitch perfect procedural of LA detective Harry Bosch solving a 17-yr. old cold case involving the abduction and murder of a bi-racial teenager. In this 11th book of the series, Harry is brought back from retirement to work with his old partner Kiz Ryder in a new unresolved cases squad. The parents still live shattered lives from the crime, and the investigation stirs up much pain and renewed hope. The combined empathy, toughness, and tenacity of Harry's efforts are compellingly portrayed. As usual, he comes up against a minefield of corrupt elements in the police force. The emotional echoes rendered in the bittersweet resolution of the story were both satisfying and haunting to me.
—Michael
RATING: 4.5PROTAGONIST: Harry BoschSETTING: Los AngelesSERIES: #11 of 18RATING: 4.5WHY: After 3 years of retirement, Harry Bosch has returned to the LAPD as a detective in the Open/Unsolved (cold case) department, with Kiz Rider as his partner. Their first case involves the murder of a teenage girl 17 years earlier. It's a different kind of investigation for Harry, and he sometimes struggles with how to conduct it. Finding links that suggest interference by the LAPD of the time doesn't help, and he also finds himself under the eagle eye of former Chief Irving, who he detests. AS always, a well-constructed plot and characterization - this series is a big favorite of mine. Connelly rarely disappoints.
—Maddy
What a nice change from the last book. I love this author and I think I’m in love with Harry Bosch. This book was signed “Harry is back on the beat and all is right in the world” by Michael Connelly when I met him at his book signing in Greensboro. Harry IS back in the Open Unsolved department. He is back with his partner Kit. Their first case is 17 years old. It’s recently been reopened because they have DNA and found a match. It doesn’t take long for Harry to get back into his investigative mode. This was one of those books I couldn’t put down until I finished. There is a cameo appearance of old chief Irving and an interesting link to this case. Great one as always by one of my favorites
—Kellie
